Strong getting stronger, but could the Suns go winless?

The dust has settled after another tense and turbulent trade period, with clubs now turning their attention to the AFL Draft on November 22-23.

And while a lot can happen between now and next season -- clubs can still trade picks ahead of and during this year's draft, and then of course a long, hot preseason commences -- the trade period delivered several compelling storylines.

Here are the key takeaways from the trade frenzy and what they could mean for next season.

The strong are only getting stronger

After the conclusion of the trade period, one thing was immediately obvious: the top four clubs from last season should get even stronger next year.

It's a scary thought for their rivals, which must be pondering how they can challenge the Eagles, Magpies, Tigers and Demons, whose lists all appear even more loaded than they were this time 12 months ago.

Richmond were the first to make their mark, grabbing the most in-demand free agent of them all, former Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch. The 2016 All Australian's arrival will add an extra dimension to the Tigers' attack, lightening the load on Jack Riewoldt, who has regularly -- and often brilliantly -- played a lone hand as a tall forward.

Richmond were the league's second-heaviest scoring side last year and while a change to their 'small ball' structure is a risk, Lynch -- providing he gets back to full fitness after a knee injury -- will only make them more dangerous.

Not to be outdone, in the final throes of Deadline Day, Collingwood turned their midfield from powerful to ridiculous in securing the services of favourite son Dayne Beams. The midfield mix was already scary enough -- Grundy, Pendlebury, Treloar, Adams, Sidebottom, Thomas, de Goey, Greenwood, Sier and possibly even Wells -- and the addition of Beams adds an extra layer of firepower.

While they still look slightly thin at each end of the ground, that midfield is strong enough to blast away the vast majority of opponents. If the Pies get a little bit of luck on the injury front -- hello Darcy Moore, hello Jamie Elliott, hello Matthew Scharenberg -- they look as likely as any to claim the cup next season.

The Demons, too, look likely contenders. They were blasted off the park in their preliminary final loss to West Coast but after adding Steven May, Kade Kolodjashnij and Brayden Preuss, the Dees appear to have fixed three glaring weaknesses in their line-up.

Melbourne were the No. 1 scoring team last season and while Jesse Hogan has flown west, the Demons have shown they are capable of playing eye-catching, powerful football without their former gun key forward. If Jack Viney gets in a full preseason, Jake Lever returns to his best and their young core continues to improve, anything is possible for the owner of the league's longest premiership drought.

And what of the reigning premiers? While quiet during the trade period, the Eagles appear well placed to defend their crown. West Coast won last year's title without two A-graders in Andrew Gaff and Nic Naitanui. Gaff will be there, barring injury, from Round 1 onwards, while Naitanui, who ruptured an ACL for the second time in Round 17 last year, will return later in the season. They chased Geelong's Tim Kelly hard during the trade period and despite missing out on his signature, still boast one of the most talented and even squads in the game.

For these already powerful teams, the message from the trade period was a simple one: catch us if you can.

Essendon have the ingredients to challenge

The Bombers were one of four clubs to finish on 12 wins last year, a failure for a team that recruited heavily during the previous offseason. But the second half of the season showcased a side capable of matching it with the best; witness their barnstorming win against West Coast in Perth in Round 14, the smashing of Sydney in Round 19 and a thrilling loss to Richmond at the MCG in Round 22.

So what makes us bullish on the Dons' prospects for 2019? Two names: Joe Daniher and Dylan Shiel. Two bona fide match-winners who can propel Essendon to the upper echelons of the top eight. Daniher only played seven games last season after battling osteitis pubis but when fit is a nightmare for key defenders and is capable of bettering his 2017 mark of 65 majors. Shiel is exactly what the Dons' midfield needs. Essendon paid a hefty price for the GWS star but his presence in a generally workmanlike midfield could lift the Bombers from pretenders to contenders.